The Key to Love

by Callie Bardot

  Keys

  The morning light of a bright new day in Mexico stabbed Keys’ eyeballs into a state of grumpy awake. He refused to open them. Instead, he mentally reviewed his inner checklist, the same way he’d been reviewing it for the last few months.

  Hungover. Check. Woman next to me. Check. Wild night of sex. Check, check, and triple check. That’s where the similarities ended. First off, the sex had been fantastic, even though he and Mia had been drunk. Best sex ever. Secondly, Trevor was nowhere in the room and hadn’t been when the sex had occurred. If he were, there would be a fistfight in Keys’ future, and he was too hungover to form a decent fist. Besides, there’s the insurance policy on my hands. And—this was a big difference—no boredom or discontent plagued him. He’d accomplished his mission and got the girl. Only, with this girl, he didn’t want to show her the door and never see her again. Instead, he craved her with urgency, the likes of which he’d never experienced before. And this little fact scared the shit out of him.

  “I need coffee,” Mia mumbled from her side of the bed. “And aspirin. Lots and lots of both. And then a walk on the beach to clear my head.”

  Without turning to face her, Keys fumbled for the white landline next to him. He managed to press the right button to connect with room service.

  “Señor Johnson?”

  “That’s me,” Keys said.

  “How may I help you?” said the male voice at the other end of the line.

  “Coffee, aspirin and some sort of pastry and fruit,” Keys said, figuring Mia to be a breakfast kind of woman since she’d ordered eggs the day before. “Copious amounts of the first two on the list.”

  The guy chuckled. “We’ve been getting similar requests all morning.”

  “Huh,” said Keys, not caring to chat.

  “We’ll bring it right up.”

  “Thank you,” Keys said, then placed the handset back in the cradle. “It’s on its way,” he said, still not looking at Mia. He scrubbed his face with his hands.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  “You’re welcome.” I need water. He glanced at the side stand and found a half-finished bottle of water. Lifting his head, he poured the contents into his mouth and swallowed it on one long glug.

  Figuring he stunk to high hell, he rolled his naked body out of bed and staggered toward the bathroom. He tugged on the water spout, and warm water streamed from the large, glistening conch shell embedded in the wall. Should I have invited Mia to shower with me? He wanted to, but everything seemed awkward in the light of day—especially the part about him not wanting to kick her out of bed. After relieving himself in the toilet, he stepped into the roomy stone shower stall. He picked up a bottle of girly shower gel and squirted some into his hand. Lifting it to his nose, he took a sniff. Damn. It smells like Mia. His longing for her spiked. Stop this. You don’t want to get involved with anyone.

  Hoping he could make his cock happy and drop-kick his need for Mia, he brought his hand to his hardening length and pumped. He imagined himself deep inside her sweet pussy, the way he’d been last night. With water sluicing all over him, his hand moved quickly up and down his shaft. The sudden orgasm surprised him, and he let out a deep groan. His fluids swirled down the drain. As he watched it swirl, he wished it would suck his desire down the drain. But, no. He found he only wanted more of Mia. I’m in deep shit. This is what it felt like with Sarah in the beginning.

  After he’d washed his hair and his body and shaved around his Van Dyke, he wrapped a towel around his waist and exited the bathroom.

  Mia sat on the balcony, nibbling a pastry. A mug of coffee sat by her robe-clad side.

  He grabbed a mug and filled it with coffee from the small round table where the coffee dispenser had been placed. Then, he trekked to the fridge and snagged a bottle of water. While holding both beverages, he made his way out to where Mia sat.

  She gave him a long side-eye and got back to her ocean gazing. “Looks like the clean-up crew has their work cut out for them.”

  While setting his coffee and water on the teak table, he glanced at the resort staff, all scurrying around the beach, filling plastic bags with the fallout of last night. “Seems so,” he said, then, took a sip of his coffee. He rested his backside on the deck chair and reached for the water. After twisting off the top, he drank the entire bottle in one long gulp. When he was done, he lowered his head to find Mia staring at him.

  A glint of something like voracious hunger sparkled in her caramel-colored eyes. She quickly averted her gaze.

  The gesture was enough to let him know she liked what she saw. He allowed a small smile to christen his face for the first time this morning.

  “What?” she said, cheeks flaming.

  “Nothing,” he said. “Sleep well?”

  “Boy, did I. I think it was all the alcohol and the hearty workout we got last night.” She took another bite of pastry. “Thanks for ordering these, by the way. They’re fantastic.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “So,” she said, finally meeting his gaze full on. “Want to walk on the beach with me?”

  “You want me to?” he said, surprised.

  “Yes,” she said, squinting slightly.

  “Then, I’d love to,” he said, surprising himself.

  “I need to go take a shower, too. I’ll be right back.” She popped the rest of the pastry in her mouth, washed it down with coffee, and swung her pretty legs off the chair.

  “Can I watch?” he said.

  “No!” She playfully slapped his arm and rose to her feet.

  As she sashayed away, Keys eyed her luscious backside. Damn, damn, damn. What’s come over me? I know what I’d like to come over me…or, rather, who. He groaned and threw back his head. I’m a dead man walking.

  Twenty minutes later, they stepped onto the sand. Keys didn’t reach for her hand, but he stayed close enough to feel the warmth emanating from her skin. He scanned for signs of the rest of the group. The last person he wanted to encounter was Gia. She’d given him an earful last night about how much she valued Mia’s friendship and to keep it in his pants, or, at the very least, let Mia off easy the next day. Which happens to be today and she still seems happy, since I haven’t let her go anywhere.

  Still, last night marched between him and Mia like an elephant. He wanted to find out if she enjoyed herself, but no way would he ask her. Instead, he busied his restless mind by staring at the sea, and the people, all in various stages of undress, cavorting in the waves.

  “Keys,” Mia said, snapping him from his musing.

  “Yeah?” he said.

  “Did you, um…did you enjoy yourself with me last night? I mean, you’re this experienced lover. And, I’m not saying I have no experience, but I’m certain I have far less than you.” She let out a nervous sounding laugh.

  Do I tell her it was the best damn sex I’ve ever had, sober or drunk? Do I tell her it was better than any sex I had with Sarah? The idea of getting all open and vulnerable with her made him twitchy. “Yes, I did,” he said simply. “You?”

  “Yes,” she gushed. “God, yes. I let myself go last night, and it felt so good.” A frown formed on her face. “I shouldn’t have asked. I mean, you don’t seem cruel or anything. You had to say something nice to me. I’m sorry I said anything.”

  “Hey,” he said, gently grasping her arm. He turned her to face him. “I meant what I said. I enjoyed you last night. A lot… I’m not the kind of guy to spew bullshit if I didn’t enjoy the moment.” He let out a rueful laugh. Ask the wake of angry lovers I’ve left along the wayside who always wanted more from me.

  She squinted one eye and peered at him out of the other. “You really enjoyed it? Like, on a scale of one to ten, I qualified for an eight, maybe?”

  “It was a solid twenty. Maybe even a fifty,” Keys said. His heartbeat raced at the confession.

  “Really?” The most breathtaking smile spread on her face.

  “Yes, really. Let’s keep walking.”
He turned and took her hand, not wanting to get any more vulnerable than this.

  She swung their hands between them. A sweet smile danced across her face.

  With their hands swinging to and fro, an unwelcome feeling of shared intimacy clawed into Keys’ heart. His breath caught in his throat. A suffocating sensation of dread washed through his limbs. He shook his head, trying to toss the feeling aside.

  “You all right?” Mia said, peering up at him.

  “Me? Sure. Fine.” The corners of his mouth lifted in a fake smile. It was the kind of smile usually reserved for all the nameless faces he banged. Christ. Get a grip. He tried to soften the smile into a real one, but his face refused to yield.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” Mia said.

  “Yes. I’m fine.” His feet moved faster until Mia practically ran next to him.

  “What’s the rush?” she said.

  “I don’t know.” When they turned the corner, heading toward the secluded cove where they’d shared their first kiss, he knew. He wanted her. Not just a little want, like craving a bang or a joint or something, either—this kind of desire burned through him like a forest fire. And there’s that enticing cabana. Without asking for her consent, he hooked his hand behind her neck and lowered his mouth for another scorching kiss. His mouth ground against hers. His tongue dueled with hers. A thrilling sensation shot through him, warring with his terror of getting too close. With his mind a jumbled mess of contradictory thoughts, he disconnected from the kiss. “Christ, almighty, I want you, Mia.”

  “I’m yours for the taking, Keys,” she said, her lips swollen and juicy from his savage kiss.

  He backed her toward the cabana, nipping at her neck, her shoulder, and nibbling her jaw the entire way. When her legs touched the edge of the bed-size pillow, he eased her yellow top from one shoulder. He trailed kisses along her silken skin, stoking his libido. He nipped at her neck. His tongue lapped at her skin, tracing a path to her breasts.

  Mia’s head lolled back, and she moaned, tugging on his short hair.

  “This top is in my way. Take it off, woman,” he teased.

  She willingly obliged, yanking it over her head. Without asking, she moved her hands behind her back and unhooked the top of her bikini, flinging it aside once she’d undone the clasp.

  “Sit,” Keys said.

  She sat on the plump white cushion placed in the center of the cabana.

  Keys dropped to his knees in the sand and urged her legs wide, so he could get close. He grasped her breasts, then fit his mouth over one of her rosy nipples and sucked. The musky taste added to his arousal. His hands massaged and kneaded her perfect mounds. His hard dick strained inside his shorts, desperate to be inside of her. Did I bring a condom? Please let me have brought a condom. I tucked my sunglasses case in my pocket, right? He always tucked a condom inside the glasses case. He hoped he’d brought the case. His hangover had hampered his ability to focus on anything except for a headache.

  He released a hand from one luscious breast and patted his shirt pocket. Yes! Reassured that he came prepared, he let out a breath and looked into her beautiful eyes.

  Light and heat emanated from her gaze. With her bruised lips parted, something about the way she regarded him stirred his feral impulses. “I don’t remember everything we did last night. But today, I’m going to savor every moment.”

  “Me, too,” she breathed.

  “Lay back,” he urged.

  She spread out on the white pillow, looking every bit a goddess. Her long obsidian-colored hair spread out all around her head in a fan.

  Every cell in his body seemed to beg to be with her. This desire he felt for her consumed him. Reaching for her waistband, he tugged her shorts from her hips. The bikini bottom came off next. “Glorious,” he whispered. “You’re fucking amazing.”

  “You are too,” she said.

  He pushed aside her thighs with his palms, lowered his head, and swiped his tongue along her folds. “You taste divine. Pure nectar.”

  Mia grabbed the fabric of the pillow with her fingers and arched her back.

  He lapped at her silk, amazed at how she responded to his touch. Nothing about her seemed forced or fake. Most of the girls he got dirty with seemed like actors in a play, all auditioning for a part. Not Mia. She simply opened herself to him.

  As his tongue flicked her clit, he thrust two fingers inside of her.

  She let out a moan. “Keys,” she breathed. “You’re driving me crazy.”

  He chuckled against her sweet pussy as he licked and sucked and finger-fucked her.

  Behind him, the waves crashed and surged. The sun beat down on his backside, warming him through his cotton shirt. He feasted on Mia, playing her like a solo on the keyboard.

  “Keys,” she cried. “You’re making me…oh, my…this orgasm is…” She let go into a writhing moan, pounding the pillows with her fists. “Oh, Keys!”

  Her calling his name while in the throes of bliss sent a charge of electric satisfaction through his bloodstream. He’d never been so happy to hear a woman call his name.

  He lifted his mouth from her and let out a laugh. “You are so beautiful, Mia.” He pulled his glasses case from his pocket, retrieved the condom, and shoved down his shorts. Moving quickly, he rolled the latex over his length and lowered himself between Mia’s toned legs. He slid deep and groaned, realizing he rarely, if ever, fucked anyone while sober. Everything with her felt like a new experience. Once he was balls deep, he kissed her. “You taste so good,” he murmured into her lips. “I can’t keep it all to myself.”

  She nipped at his lips with her teeth, drawing a sharp sting.

  “Oh, yeah. That’s hot.” As his hips thrust inside of her, he ravaged her lips. Same as in the shower this morning, his orgasm came hot, hard, and fast. Usually, he had more control. As he shot his release inside of her, he cried, “Mia. Oh, God, woman.” Once spent, he rolled to the side and pulled her with him until they both lay side by side. He didn’t look at her—he couldn’t look at her. Looking at her revealed a depth of intimacy, he didn’t want to face.

  He contemplated the depth of full-body, heart, and soul pleasure he’d just experienced. He should be feeling great, ready to zonk out for a few. But no. Whatever satisfaction he’d hoped to get from screwing her didn’t happen. Instead, the reverse occurred. His craving for her only increased.

  His breathing grew shallow until he thought he might pass out.

  “Keys,” Mia said.

  “What?” he said.

  “You’re breathing like a hamster on a wheel over there. What’s going on?”

  “Nothing. Nothing’s going on.”

  “You’re thinking about something,” she said, arching back to meet his gaze.

  “Am I?” he said, blinking rapidly. “Only about how hot you are.” Another one of his forced smiles made an appearance.

  “You didn’t like it?” she said, her eyebrows stitching together.

  “I didn’t say that. I liked what we just did.” A lot. Too much. “You’re hot.” He knew he sounded lame, but he couldn’t help himself. He felt as if he were being swallowed by quicksand, helpless to free himself. “We should probably get back.”

  “Okay.” Mia rolled away from him and climbed from the cabana. She scoured the area for her clothes.

  He got to his feet and did the same. Did I piss her off? What did I do?

  Once dressed, he kept about a yard between them as they walked back to the resort.

  She put her hands over her eyes and squinted. “Looks like they got the beach all clean.”

  “Looks like it,” he said agreeably.

  People lounged everywhere—in the white cabanas, on towels, in the surf. Ahead, a tall, yellow-haired woman, made her way toward them.

  “Oh, boy. My watchdog is coming,” Keys muttered.

  Gia put her hand over her head and waved. “Hey, you two,” she called over the surf. When she got closer, she scrutinized them. “Everything okay?”


  “It’s fine,” Mia said, without too much enthusiasm.

  “Everything’s good,” Keys said, placing his arm around Mia’s shoulders. He didn’t want to set off Gia’s alarm bells. “Peachy keen. What’s up?”

  “We’re all heading out to zip-line in the jungle. You’re coming,” Gia said.

  “Not me. I’m scared of heights,” Mia said, trying to slip away from Keys’ grip.

  “Are you?” Keys said, holding her in place. The fear of intimacy which had seized him earlier dissipated like fog. “Heights are fun. I’ll ease you through it. Come on, it will be a blast.”

  “You’ll help me?” Mia said, looking up at him with a frown.

  “Of course. You’ll see. Once you take the first jump, the rest is all about letting go.” This time he smiled a genuine smile, well aware that he might consider taking his own advice.

  Mia returned the smile. “Okay, I’m in.”

  “Good. We’re all copacetic,” Gia said, hooking her arm around Mia from the side opposite Keys. “The van awaits us.”

  A short while later, Keys stood next to Mia, in a lush Mayan rainforest, assessing the closest zip-line high overhead at the Eco Maya All Day Adventures park. “It might look like you’re high in the sky…”

  “I will be high in the sky,” Mia said, her eyes wide.

  “Okay, you will be high in the sky, but you’ll be totally secure. Attached to ropes and cables and a rock-solid harness. Nothing’s going to happen to you, sweetness.” Keys placed his hand on her shoulder. “They have safety standards to adhere to. They’d be closed down in a snap if anything happened to a guest.”

  “Accidents happen all the time,” Mia said, lifting her hand to her mouth to nibble on one of her fingernails.

  “You’re not going to be a casualty,” Keys said. He turned and looked intently into her eyes.

  “You don’t know that. You can’t know that,” Mia said, still nibbling on her nail.

  Effie strode up to her. “I was scared to death when Zander took me on my first zipline adventure. It’s exhilarating. You’ll see. You’re going to love it.” She beamed.